A Cole lotta love

Merson: enjoyed the game

It was like an 18-year-old playing in an Under-12's league. Honestly, he was frightening, absolutely frightening.

Paul Merson
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• Sunderland
• West Ham United

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Sunderland 2-2 West Ham
Soccer Saturday analysis

Saturday's clash between Sunderland and West Ham at the Stadium of Light was a thrilling 2-2 draw with both sides being reduced to 10 men as the home side came back from two goals down to snatch a draw.

But amid the excitement, Merson felt West Ham striker Cole stood head and shoulders above the rest - and he said he'd be surprised if he was still a West Ham player when the January transfer window closes next year.

"First half he was unplayable," he was absolutely phenomenal, Merson told Soccer Saturday.

"It was like an 18-year-old playing in an Under-12's league. Honestly, he was frightening, absolutely frightening.

"He was Drogba, he was absolutely brilliant. I said to Charlie during the game that someone will buy him.

"Now if Arsenal want to go and sell the 'best player in the world' in Bendtner and get Cole I think they'll be flying.

"I'd be surprised if he's there in January. I'd be shocked."

Typical

Cole added to Guillermo Franco's opener to give West Ham a 2-0 lead and they looked to be heading for victory when Kenwyne Jones was sent off for a push on Herita Ilunga.

However, goals from Andy Reid and Kieran Richardson hauled the Black Cats back into the game before Radoslav Kovac was sent off with three minutes remaining.

Merson said the match was a good advert for English football and praised the resilience of the home side.

"It was a real, real typical Premier League game," he said.

"It was end to end, two sendings off, four goals - it was a real good game.

"Sunderland were full of energy. They went two goals down and had 10 men, but at the end they were bombing on and looking for a winner. Fair play to them."

Flying

However, Merson questioned both of the dismissals - suggesting Jones and Kovac can both feel hard done by.

He said: "Jones got sent off, he put his arm up and pushed Ilunga in the throat and he fell down like Daivd Haye had hit him. He went flying.

"Kovac had already had a yellow and he chested the ball and as it went away from him, Bent is so sharp he came in and nicked it off him.

"At the same time Kovac tried to smash it across the pitch and caught Bent. He went down injured, the ref waited about five minutes until he got back up and sent him off.

"I wouldn't have sent him off, Bent was just too sharp for him."